Code,917024
Subject,Ruth Crowl
Date,7/21/17
Interviewer,Virginia Collings
Abstract,"Ruth Crowl, a chemical engineer and a member of the Cleveland Hiking Club since 1981, relates memories of hiking and social aspects of the club."
Tags,hiking
Special Notes,
minutes:,
0,Heard about hiking club from newspaper article when high school student; Buckeye Trail sounded interesting
1,Was in recreation club in college; first hike was 5 miles at Edgewater Park
2,"Personal information:  chemical engineer, worked for NE Ohio Sewer District, now teach at Zane State College"
3,"Loved first half of 40 mile hikes, start at 4am with stars, sounds, seeing dawn.  Started at camp and had lunch there at half.  Wilma Howard was encouraging."
4,"Favorite hikes:  frozen waterfalls with Jay Beswick, Holden Arboretum in spring, evening Christmas lights.  Led at Wooster Arboretum, Wilderness Center in Stark County"
5,"Also led at Resthaven Wildlife Area in Castelia, enjoyed the prairie there; liked the chicken barbeque at camp"
6,"recalled only 200 members in 1980s, no reservations needed for camp events.  Some slept over in a tent."
7,Jay Beswick led wildflower hikes and was knowledgeable about ferns.  Was a member of Native Plants Society
8,"Jay Beswich died on a hike with the club, from a heart attack.  He left some books to members.  "
9,"Ruth Peters made unique centerpieces of natural materials from hikes, put them on tables at holiday party at cabin.  "
10,"Memorable hikers include Ken Howard and his parents, Leo Deininger, and Lou Yerick"
11,"Louise McDonough hugged everyone, called them ""sweetie""; Walter Lennartz told jokes from Reader's Digest"
12,"Walter Lennartz was the club statistician for miles; interviewee active 1981-2000, hiked 2786 miles, continue to host Buckeye Trail hikers from club"
13,Buckeye Trail hikes from Cleveland to Toledo were well-planned and close group
14,"Enjoyed visiting towns and having dinner after Buckeye Trail hikes; saw farms around Fremont, have done various sections"
15,Particularly enjoyed bird-away weekends with Ruth Skuly and Leo Deininger
16,Husband had experience hiking in England; they led hikes together.  Ruth Skuly and Leo Deininger led hikes in all Ohio counties
17,"Other memorable leaders include Jim Sprague, Emily and Stan Gregor"
18,"Memorable hike leaders:  Victor Sandorf, Matilda Varga (flowers), Lynn Schreiber, and Cecil Dobbins (Switzerland)"
19,Also mentioned Harold Poole and Joe Smetana as hike leaders
20,"Favorite hikes:  wildflower hikes from camp, Cuyahoga Valley, newly opened Mill Stream Run"
21,Lou and Matilda Varga led canoe trips at Portage Lakes
22,"Were fewer hikes offered:  longer one on Saturday or Sunday, 5 mile hike mid-weel"
23,"Because fewer hikes in past, hikers had to hike each time, conditions were sometimes difficult such as cold temperatures"
24,"Hikes always left on time, hikers had to be prompt; new hikers learned what a mile meant"
25,"Good and bad changes over the years:  more members, variety of hikes, not know as many personally, east-west divisions"
26,"Regret not knowing everyone, some form cliques"
27,"Only return occasionally now as live out of area, enjoy the rustic cabin"
28,Other changes include more trips in US and abroad
29,"Living in Noble County, have encouraged hiking "
30,Feel that hiking makes people happy and healthy
31,"Camaraderie important, also learning what one is capable of, meeting interesting people"
32,Made many life-long friends while in hiking club
33,"Unfortunately, many memorable and close friends from club are deceased, but nevertheless memories remain."
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